RTV 3007 Intro to Television TELEVISION: THE EARLIEST DAYS
RADIO IS STILL IN CHARGE Stations still used radio to pay for TV programming In 1947 ABC allowed pre- recorded material on radio, creating first disk jockeys by major network.
THE BOOM After World War 2, people saved money to buy TV sets. Improvements in picture quality Taverns rushed to acquire TV sets to show sports 1947 – Meet the Press Started as radio show in 1945: The American Mercury Presents: Meet the Press First host: ow_ablock_ Democratic and GOP National Conventions televised
THE COLD WAR 1947 House Committee on Un-American Activities began investigating film industry workers with suspected ties to Communism. Public hearings underscored the propaganda potential of film. Studios fired suspected writers and actors ties. Beginning of Hollywood Blacklist. J. Edgar Hoover warns FCC not to issue broadcast licenses to parties with ties to Communism. FCC asked for proof. FBI said no, confidential sources. Birth of industry marked by “caution and cowardice.”
THE BLACKLIST Red Channels named dozens of TV and radio writers, actors, producers, directors, executives as Communist sympathizers. Shows began disappearing from TV and radio. Actors and actresses were suddenly dismissed from series. Blacklist management became part of the industry.
US VS. PARAMOUNT PICTURES 1948 Movie studios could no longer own movie theaters Movie studios could no longer own movie theaters The US would no longer restrict imports of foreign films The US would no longer restrict imports of foreign films US movie industry reinvented itself US movie industry reinvented itself Hollywood laid off hundreds of writers, directors, producers, actors Hollywood laid off hundreds of writers, directors, producers, actors These Hollywood expats migrated to New York to try their hand at television These Hollywood expats migrated to New York to try their hand at television
HIT TV SHOWS IN Texaco Star Theater with Milton Berle (Uncle Miltie) Toast of the Town with Ed Sullivan
HIT TV SHOWS IN “Law and order” television was popular Law and order series were produced as formulaic episodes. Because of Cold War, bankers and businessmen could not be portrayed as bad guys on TV TV shows were live
FOLLOW THAT MAN Top-ranked TV show. Produced live. Could not gauge length of show. At the end of each episode a “search” scene where the star looked for clues. He would time this scene based on how much time was left Sponsored by Camel cigarettes. The bad guys could not smoke cigarettes. The show could not cover arson because fires might tie to cigarettes. No one could cough Doctors had to be shown in a positive manner
BIRTH OF PUBLIC BROADCASTING – Council on Educational Television is created President Eisenhower appoints Freida Hennock, first woman to the FCC, who heads this commission – Ford Foundation report showed that Americans witness more than 2970 acts or threats of violence on TV in one week In 1952 the FCC reserves some TV channels (both VHF and UHF) for educational TV
AMERICA LOVES LUCY 1951-TODAY First scripted TV show filmed instead of broadcast live. Filmed before a studio audience (no laugh track). Pioneered multi-camera technique. Produced in Hollywood. (Ended NYC’s hold on TV) Lucy & Desi were TV’s first “interracial couple” Top-rated TV show after 1 year January 19, 1953 – Lucy character has her baby on TV. Nearly 70% of all TV sets were tuned in to watch.
AMERICA LOVES LUCY 1951-TODAY Because Lucy & Desi owned the rights to the show, they became the first multi-millionaire TV stars. Since its initial broadcast in 1951, I Love Lucy has never stopped airing on TV.
TV IN 1952 TV moves to pre-recorded content rather than live broadasts Political parties focus on TV over radio TV expands internationally – Europe, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Cuba Eisenhower wins TV through scripted presentations: arrival of hero, speech, departure of hero Nixon’s Checkers speech. Radio changes its format to compete with TV